Automobile-shipping device.



i, N. DUNCAN. AUTOMUBILE SHPPNE DEVlCE.

APPLICATlON FILED 001220. 1917.

Patented Jan. T 1919.

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.UTGiIGBlLE-SHIPPNG DEVICE.

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ali 'whom a? may eener/vn. lle it known that l, mins l. i) mitin, a

i citize oi the United Sintes, residing.; at llew Y roit`r Michigan, have invented certain new.

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Uwing to the feet 'that the freight eharged b v the railroad. companies is based upon a certain minimum weie'hi' per ear, which, in the case et shipment o; anloinebiles, .fery frequently in excess oif the actual weight transported, the niethody oif loading herein described is ot' greatinlportance commen cially. The shortage ol freight cars which frequently exists :mother condition which urges its use.

nother obi'ert ol' il vide a means fer C, during shipment in such a way that tliev may be readily into ie invention is to propp-nrtnw automobiles introduced a freight cai1 having; a narrow loozwey so that ordinary box ears which are not oiV the special automobile l type may ne utilized.

bltill another object is to provide a means for' supporting automobiles in freight ears whieh is ijneiipensii'e :ind easy to construct and-which requires a smell amount of ma'- terinl.

These being among the objects of the present invention the same consists of certain. features of eonstruetion and combinations parts to be hereinafter desci'il'ied and then eleiined with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate snitebe enibediment o the invention' (geving the nbove and objeets in View.

Figure lisan. elevation showing theeleviee with an automobile in place ria-fully for top pien View oi the saine.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jain. @1919. 191?. serial No. 197,538.

the freight car being indicated by dotted lines.

As shown in the drawings, an automobile carried 'by the device of' this invention may be practically complete, the only parts of importance -which have to be removed being the wheels. top and windshield. It will further be observed that the automobile is supported principally by its axles and is carrieil upon its side, this position being the one which requires the least amount of floor space and consequently permits the Ina.\:i ninna number of automobiles to be stowed in ay freight ear of n given size and also permits the automobiles to be passed through a doorway or' minimum width.

The 'trame work for Supporting the automobile consists of a main panel lying` in a vertical plane and .to which the automobile -is securely attached, together with the` framework, 'forming a sewnd panel in a horizontal plane, which serves as the base of the eonslrnction and rests upon the floor of the Jfreight car. Suitable inclined bracing);

between the two panels gives the structureV the required stiffness.4

The drawings show one method of constructingr a suitable Framework, but it is notY desired to confine the invention to the exact arrangement shown as it will be :'Lpparent` that numerous modifications can be made without affecting the principle of the device or; its utility.

The front axle spindle 1l on the lower side is supported in-a in bloeit l2 which is'securely fastened to the lower Alongitudinal member 13. ln a similar wey the end of the rear axle housing on the lower side is held by the block 14 which is also fastened to the member 13. Similarly at the other ends of each of the axles the blocks l5 and 1G at the front and regu' re longitudinal. member 17. 13 and l? are connected at their extremities by Vertical members 18 and 19 to which they are securely connected to form e rigid reetenguler frame.

lying parallel to the transverse members 21 and 22 e rectangular horizontal frame similar to that in the vertical plane. llfhis horizontal frame forms n base for supporting the entire framework The longitudmels suitably shaped hole rEhe third longitudinal 20,. the other two, forms with speetivelv. 'term connections to the 'ui perj braces, such as 23,

Adamage in transit.

and vallows the complete frame with an automobile in place to be moved about readily by the use of trucksl or dollies. To connect the horizontal and vertical frames, inclined may be used, thus forming a rigid, self-sustaining framework.

In applying the framework to an automobile, it is convenient to place the automobile in its normal position, but with its Wheels removed, upon the frame formed by the members 13, 17, 18 and 19 and then to apply the blocks 12, 14, 15 and 16 or other means for securing the axles and finally to turn the complete structure over en its side as shown in the drawings.

As ythe connection vof the automobile to the frame is through its axles, ent that the greater part ot' the weight 1s supportedby the springs and consequently the frame and body of the car would be,

capable of considerable movement relative to the framework which might cause serious To prevent this, it is convenient to retain the springs in a nearly closed position by ,heavy steel clamps as indicated by the'numeral 24. 1t may also be advisable to provide inclined braces as 25 extending from the base of the 'framework to the frame of the automobile or to some part which is rigidly/*attached to the frame. Vertical struts such as 26 and 2'" may also be provided ifthought necessaryT to relieve the springs. These struts may extend between the frame of the automobile and the base of the supporting framework.

After the Jframework and automobile are properly located In the treight car, 1t is advisable to secure them against any shiftN ing which might occur dueto rough han- This may very easily be done by nailingv the lower panel et the framework to the ioor ot' the freight car and, it' desired, the 'upper longitudinai member 17 may also be securely fastened to the side of the car, thus relieving the inclined bracing from ,practically all strain.

What 1 claim as new is- 1. An automobile shipping frame, comi prising a panel adapted to protect and supv port the under-frame of the vehicle, a single side protecting and supporting panel and braces maintaining said panels substantially perpendicular to each other.

2. An automobile shipping frame, compris'mg two panels each .adapted to serve as a base, braces rigidly maintaining said panels substantially in perpendicular relation to eachother, and means for holding the automobile to be shipped Within the protecting' edges or' said panels.

A frame\ vork tor supporting an automobile during transportation consisting of a single panel in a vertical plane and a single panel in a horizontal plane, inclined braces for connecting said panels and connecting members shaped to retain the axles ci: an automobile and attached to one of said panels.

4. An automobile shipping frame, comprising; a panel to protect and support the under-frame of the vehicle, a single side protecting and supporting panel, braces maintaining said panels substantially perpendicular to each other, and means carried by the under-frame supporting panel for directly'con'nectingthe vehicle axles to said panel.

. An automobile shipping frame, comfprising a panel to protect and support the under-frame of the vehicle, a single side protecting,r and supporting panel, braces maintaining said panels substantially perpendicular to each other, and means conner-ting,` the underrame and body to said panels to permit the support oit' said shipping' trame upon the side panel as va base.

6. An automobile shipping frame, cont prismeF panels supporting and protecting the under-trame and one side only ot the vehicle, braces maintaining' said panels in lrigid supporting relation to each other, and

other braces for supporting said vehicle ou said frame when said frame is turned upon its side. p

Signed at Detroit, Mich., this 18th day et'. October, 1917.

JAMES N. DUNCAN.

Witnesses:

lineman J. FRY, ALFRED H. KNIGHT. 

